Support médicosocial et éducatif : devenir de familles très carencées confrontées à l'alcool

This research has evaluated the impact of a group support designed to help parents to face social isolation, to be responsible of their health and to enhance parental competencies. Twenty-two families from high-risk backgrounds with a prevalent history of transgenerational family alcoholism were assessed through a psychological and comprehensive approach. Families with their infants or toddlers participated for more than one year to the group support, which included professionals and paraprofessionals too. Evaluation took place seven years on average after receiving such a support: all the mothers and eight spouses were interviewed. This paper focuses on the current situation of the parents, their social relationships competencies and their parenthood. The verbal competencies of the mother were also assessed. Three family profiles were drawn from this analysis, based on their level of autonomy and depending on whether they were raising their child or not. The impact of such an early intervention is notable among these families: intra-family violence has largely diminished, severe neglect and abuse has disappeared, nine mothers out of eleven became alcohol abstinent. An increased level of autonomous in half of the families was also observed. However, some situations remain precarious and support from social workers is absolutely necessary for very disabled families from high-risk environments.